Comments about Hiway Drive-In in Boonsboro, MD

dallasmovietheaters on October 17, 2026 at 6:23 am

The Hiway Drive-In project was announced by Daniel Weinberger, nephew of the late Henry Weinberger of Henry’s Theatre in Hagerstown, in February of 1948. The 676-car ozoner was designed by Cleveland-based architect George M. Peterson. The original screen tower was 37.5'x50' and supported by 70' Douglas Fir poles.

Marva Theatres launched on May 12, 1949 grand opening ad in photos with “Relentless.” Following its season in November of 1954, the Hiway got a new 90' wide screen to present VistaVision, SuperScope and CinemaScope titles. They also got an improved concession stand operated by Sporservice Corp. at its reopening on March 31, 1955.

Marva sold the venue in August of 1960 to Elwood Grimm’s Melwood Corp. He also operated the neighboring drag strip and the auto salvage yard. It must have been doing great business as it and cashier Louise F. Houpt was robbed of $1,387 on August 30, 1963.

The venue found new operators in 1964 in th Lookabuagh family operating on a new 20-year leasing agreement. They took it to the expiry on October 14, 1984 with “Ghostbusters” and “Police Academy.” (The nearby Hancock Drive-In had closed the previous weekend also with “Ghostbusters” but paired with “Christine.”) The Hiway property was offered for sale for $192,500 in 1985. The Drive-In was sold in 1987 and demolished for a family entertainment center. That was most recently called Adkins Mini-Golf.

Kenmore on August 14, 2026 at 8:34 am

During its operation, the drive-in had a rather elongated entrance road that was more like an exit ramp. That feature was essentially gone by 2005 when the property was razed and the Family Recreation Park was put in.

Today, there is no trace of the drive-in and only hints of the old entrance road remaining.

rivest266 on August 14, 2026 at 3:42 am

1959 aerial posted.

jwmovies on October 12, 2012 at 8:56 pm

Now Family Recreation. Approx. address for this drive-in was 21036 National Pike, Boonsboro, MD 21713

NYozoner on January 23, 2011 at 3:22 am

National Pike & Stottlemeyer Rd, Boonsboro, MD 21713

The above address will accurately map to the location of the drive-in, which is visible on Google Earth using historical aerial imagery from 1988.